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Question #46444
The Question
In a biodiversity hotspot protected via in-situ conservation, the extinction of an endemic vertebrate species triggers the co-extinction of its obligate, host-specific parasites. Beyond the mere reduction in species count, which of the following represents the most profound evolutionary consequence of this cascading collapse?
Options
- A.
The immediate disruption of convergent evolution, preventing surviving species from developing analogous structures to fill the vacant niches.
- B.
An irreversible depletion of phylogenetic diversity, permanently eliminating the unique homologous structures that represent their deep evolutionary ancestry.
- C.
A localized decrease in alpha diversity that is rapidly compensated by the adaptive radiation of sympatric species within the hotspot.
- D.
The failure of the in-situ approach to maintain the ecosystem's carrying capacity, leading to a loss of analogous traits among the remaining taxa.
Check Your Answer
Correct Answer
Step-by-Step Solution
Explanation
How the Examiner Thinks
Comparative_Analysis
Sharpen your ability to evaluate multiple scenarios and distinguish between competing potential answers.
Concepts Behind This Question
Homologous Organ Ancestry|In-situ Conservation (Hotspots)|Co-extinction Logic
Why This Question Is Tricky
Common Mistakes
The 'Conceptual Pivot' requires students to transition from viewing extinction purely as an ecological metric (loss of species richness/alpha diversity) to an evolutionary metric (loss of phylogenetic diversity and homologous structures).
A common misconception is treating all species losses equally, failing to recognize that the co-extinction of highly distinct, endemic lineages disproportionately destroys evolutionary history and functional redundancy.
Quick Facts About This Question
Question Information
| Subject | Biology |
| Chapter | Evolution - Class 12 |
| Concept | Homologous Organ Ancestry |
| Difficulty | 8 |
| Cognitive Load | 5 |
| Target Solve Time | 120 sec |
| Access | Free |